Expectation.

My 21-year-old daughter flew to Morocco last August to work for a year as a nanny. When an unexpected financial crisis hit the French family in January, however, they apologetically informed Jordan that they would have to let her go. She received this blow while en route to Lisbon during one of her escapades of exiting the country for visa purposes.

Jordan, the queen of surprises, had carefully arranged her own flight details to align with her college roommate's return trip from France to the US. She’d been secretly coordinating the layover surprise with one of her roommate's travel mates for weeks and couldn't wait for the moment to finally arrive. It was going to be so much fun. And there would be so much laughter.

But it was not to be.

Her roommate's flight into Lisbon was delayed and then her plane ended up pulling into a completely different terminal. The minutes ticked by as Jordan’s bubbling anticipation dissolved into the bitter cup of heartbreak.

There wasn't enough time to connect in person so they settled for second best–a phone call.

Coupled with the news that she couldn't continue on with the nannying job she loved, it was a double blow. In just 24 hours.

Disappointment. A failed attempt. The bitter taste of “not enough.”
…Not enough money.
…Not enough time.
…Not enough to turn the expectation into reality.

And yet God's arm is not too short.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

God’s grace and mercy are always available, providing us with His “more-than-enough.” Especially during our heartbreaking disappointments.

He is never “not enough.”

Plans will never fall into place exactly the way we expect. But life's detours will always run us right into God's throne room of grace and mercy, if our eyes are open to see Him. May we believe that if we open our clenched fist we will receive all that He knows we need in our unmet expectations.